Trip report Oct 3 - 6

[debo_nair]

Me and my wife flew from Los Angeles to New Hampshire to check foliage oct 3 - 6 weekend. We stayed at Bethlehem NH ( <A HREF="http://www.northernstarinn.com/)." TARGET=_blank>http://www.northernstarinn.com/).</A> We were fearing that we might be there earlier than the peak time. But Oct 2 night there was a sudden change of color due to cold nights in North NH. when we arrived at Manchester we again checked with local folks and they mentioned it might be delayed by a few days. I guess now that was some wrong information. People with out knowing seems to have spread the rumor that white mountains has not peaked or not close to peak. we drove I-93 and as we got close to Bethlehem we could see some spectacular colors. we took Kanc which had bright colors at start on west side but not much in the eastern parts..we took Bear Notch Road and then 302 Crawford Notch west ....we saw some amazing riot of color on the mountains..did Franconia Notch , Flume Gorge same day .....thereby completing the loop around white mountains. Check in at B& B late evening. Next day we drove to check the Mt washington auto road..took the state roads 302 e,3 n, 115 n,2 east and then 16 south..all these routes were flush with color. The weather atop summit was windy and they didnt allow private cars so had to take the guided tour. The weather was so windy up at top that we couldn't stand without holding on to something. Wife was scared the wind would haul her away to bottom of mountain.) we wanted to experience it in its wildness and were successfull. The took the wildcat gandola and the view was amazing from top. Coming back we drove back on 93 n , crossed over to Vermont and took the first exit to check the Moore reservoir....again u can view the colors on top of mountains from there...sunday we drove back to MHT and flew back to LAX..only regret was not seeing a moose.

[Aleksh]

Thank you for the eyewitness account. Its refreshing after all of the "foliage reports indicate" type prognosticating.<P>Too many seem to be relying on weather channels and sites. There is no reason to expect them to be any better at predicting foliage conditions which are weather dependant than they are at predicting the weather .<P>If in doubt give the local chamber of commerce where you want to go and you'll get an honest assessment from someone who lives there.<P>Todays Pics From the Chester area are up at <A HREF="http://www.otfi.com/foliagepics.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.otfi.com/foliagepics.htm</A> <P>------------------<BR>Aleks & Michiko Hunter<BR>Old Town Farm Inn <BR>665 Vt. Rte 10<BR>Chester, Vt. 05143<BR> <A HREF="http://www.otfi.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.otfi.com</A> <BR>1-888-232-1089<BR>"Its not our Green Mountain state, its our Green Mountain State of Mind" SM